Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours)

Through technologies such as genetic engineering, biotechnology is shaping diverse aspects of medicine (treating cancer, vaccines, therapy and diagnosis of genetic diseases) and industry (bioremediation).UOW's Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) provides you with the tools and knowledge to work in both of these areas.You will complete a major in cellular and molecular biology, including genetics, immunology and bioinformatics.

You will also complete a major strand of chemistry and an optional strand in human anatomy and physiology.

The nature of subjects like genetic engineering means you will also complete studies in ethics and management.If you do not qualify for direct entry to the degree you can gain admission via the Bachelor of Science, subject to satisfactory performance in first year and approval of the Course Co-ordinator and the Head of Students.

To qualify for award of the degree, the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours), a candidate must successfully complete at least 192 credit points, as outlined in the table below.

Please note:

• Students who have not completed HSC Mathematics at Band 4 or higher (or equivalent) are required to complete a mathematics subject (MATH151 or equivalent) normally in the first year.
• Students may only count 60 credit points of 100-level subjects towards the degree.
• Students must have a grade of Pass (not Pass Supplementary) or higher in 300-level core subjects.
• This is a prescribed program of study comprising core and optional subjects as set out below.
• Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
• Year 1
• Autumn
• BIOL105 Functional Biology of Animals and Plants 6 Autumn
• MATH151 General Mathematics 1A 6 Autumn, Spring
• Select ONE of the following two subjects:
• Note: Students who have achieved a mark of 65% or more in NSW HSC Chemistry or equivalent must select CHEM101 and CHEM102. All other students must select CHEM104 and CHEM105.
• CHEM101 Chemistry IA: Introductory Physical and General Chemistry 6 Autumn
• CHEM104 Foundation Chemistry: Properties of Matter 6 Autumn
• Spring
• BIOL103 Molecules, Cells and Organisms 6 Spring
• Select ONE of the following two subjects:
• CHEM102 Chemistry 1B: Structure and Reactivity of Molecules for Life 6 Spring
• CHEM105 Foundation Chemistry: Reactions and Structures 6 Spring
• Note: Students who have completed CHEM104 and CHEM105 and wish to enrol in CHEM212 must also complete CHEM106.
• CHEM106 Foundation Chemistry: Properties and Reactivity of Matter 6 Summer 2020/2021
• Plus other elective subjects to give a total 48 credit points for Year 1 of which, 6 credit points should be one of the following subjects:
• BIOL104 Evolution, Biodiversity and Environment 6 Autumn
• MEDI100 Human Structure and Function 6 Autumn
• PHYS155 Introduction to Biomedical Physics 6 Spring
• MEDI112 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology II 6 Spring
• STS 112 Changing Perceptions of Nature 6 Autumn
• *STS 112 is compulsory for those students taking an approved course of study which does not include SOC 251 (in Year 2).
• Year 2
• Autumn
• BIOL213 Principles of Biochemistry 6 Autumn
• Spring
• BIOL214 The Biochemistry of Energy and Metabolism 6 Spring
• BIOL215 Introductory Genetics 6 Spring
• CHEM214 Analytical and Environmental Chemistry 6 Spring
• STAT252 Statistics For the Natural Sciences 6 Spring
• Plus, 18 credit points of subjects from the following list:
• BIOL240 Biodiversity of Marine and Freshwater Organisms 6 Autumn
• CHEM212 Organic Chemistry II 6 Autumn
• MGNT208 Introduction to Management for Professionals A 6 Autumn
• MEDI211 Control Mechanisms Physiology 6 Autumn
• SOC 251 Genetics, Biotechnology and Society 6 Autumn
• BIOL241 Biodiversity of Terrestrial Organisms 6 Spring
• **SOC 251 is compulsory for students who have not taken STS 112 in Year 1.
• Year 3
• Autumn
• BIOL343 Techniques in Biotechnology and Medical Research 6 Autumn
• BIOL340 Cell and Molecular Biology 6 Autumn
• Plus, two subjects from the following list:
• BIOL362 Ecophysiology 6 Autumn
• SCIP300 Advanced Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience Project 6 Autumn, Spring, Summer 2020/2021
• CHEM358 Pharmacology 6 Autumn
• MEDI312 Fundamentals of Neuroscience 6 Autumn
• PHIL326 Bioethics 6 Autumn
• ***Subject to approval from the Subject Coordinator
• Or other subjects approved by the Coordinator.
• Spring
• BIOL341 Immunity and Infection 6 Spring
• CHEM325 Bioinformatics:Genome, Genes and Biomolecules 6 Spring
• Plus, two subjects from the following list:
• BIOL342 Biomedical Research:Skills and Techniques 6 Not available in 2020
• SCIP310 Advanced Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences Project 6 Autumn, Spring, Summer 2020/2021
• CHEM360 Organic Synthesis III 6 Spring
• MEDI323 Cardiorespiratory Studies 6 Spring
• ECON318 Economics of Health and Human Resources 6 Autumn
• SOC 347 Sociology of Health, Illness and Medicine 6 Spring
• HAS 350 Social Determinants of Indigenous Health 6 Autumn
• Or other subjects approved by the Coordinator.
• Year 4
• Select either the full-time (48cp) or 48cp of the equivalent part-time subject (2 x 24cp) option below.
• BIOL420 Biotechnology Honours 48 Not available in 2020
• BIOL418 Biotechnology Honours (Part-Time) 24 Not available in 2020

Progression Requirements

Satisfactory performance must be achieved (normally a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 75% or greater in 300-level Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Health Sciences subjects) for entry into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) degree. Students with a WAM below 75% in 300-level subjects may only progress into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) with the approval of the Medical Biotechnology Coordinator. Students who do not gain entry into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Medical Biotechnology (Honours) degree will normally be required to transfer into the Bachelor of Science (Medical Biotechnology) degree.

Honours

Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:

CLO Description 1 Describe and appraise broad knowledge of the principles and concepts of cell and molecular biology associated with medical science. 2 Demonstrate skills in reviewing, analysing, interpreting and synthesising data, methodologies and other information to independently generate solutions to complex problems. 3 Exercise critical thinking and judgement in integrating new understanding into one or more disciplinary areas.. 4 Communicate knowledge, ideas and independent research findings clearly and coherently through a range of mediums to a professional audience. 5 Demonstrate initiative and judgement to adapt knowledge and skills associated with medical, cell or molecular biology that can be applied in a professional context. 6 Independently plan and execute a research project associated with medical, cell or molecular biology 7 Appreciate the role, relevance and ethical implications of science in society and demonstrate understanding of the requirements of professional responsibility and ethical conduct.